Health Notes

HEALTH NOTES

April 13, 2004

Exercise classes for those with joint, muscular problems

Anne Arundel Medical Center, with Major Changes Inc., will offer a series of exercise classes designed to help people with joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations. The courses include:

Mondays and Tuesday, noon to 1 p.m. Joints in Motion is designed for individuals before and after joint replacement surgery, and those experiencing joint, muscular, cardiovascular or neuromuscular limitations. The program emphasizes increased flexibility, muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, noon to 1 p.m. Stretch, Tone and Balance includes full-body seated warm-up and progresses with toning exercises using your body, as well as hand-held resistance equipment. Balance drills are followed by gentle stretches and relaxation exercises performed sitting or standing behind a chair.

Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:15 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Pace -- People with Arthritis Can Exercise is not limited to people with arthritis. The program uses gentle activities to help joint flexibility and range of motion to maintain muscle strength. Participants must be ambulatory.

Courses in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid have been scheduled for this month at several sites in Anne Arundel County by the American Red Cross of Central Maryland. They include:

First Aid Basics trains participants to identify and care for victims of illness and sudden injury, such as bleeding, shock, musculoskeletal injuries, poisoning and heat and cold injuries. The class will be offered from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. today at the Edgewater Red Cross, 3475 Pike Ridge Road. Cost is $35.

Adult CPR and First Aid Basics teaches rescue breathing, how to clear an obstructed airway and how to perform one-rescuer CPR on victims age 8 and older. The course also includes first-aid basics on how to treat life-threatening bleeding, burns, fractures, shock and sudden illness. The class will be offered from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Severna Park United Methodist Church, 731 Benfield Road; 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24, at a place to be named; and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. April 27 and 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. April 29 at Edgewater Red Cross. Cost is $42.

Infant and Child CPR teaches emergency action principles, rescue breathing, anti-choking procedures and CPR for victims to age 8. The classes are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 24 at the Edgewater Red Cross. Cost is $37.

Infant and Child CPR and First Aid, including infant and child CPR certification, emphasizes first aid for those who work in child care settings. Classes will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. April 24 at the Edgewater Red Cross. Cost is $42.

"Crime Avoidance Training" is interactive training that focuses on empowering individuals to take responsibility for their safety. The class, organized around a typical day, covers security awareness, tough-target strategies, safety on the move, using an automated-teller machine and responding to threatening situations. Instructors will come to a facility, group or organization at a time that is convenient for the group. A minimum of 10 people is required. The fee is $9.95 per person. Information: 410-764-7000, Ext. 7235, or mbrooks@arc-cmc. org.

All courses are on a first-come basis, and preregistration with payment is required. Information: 410-764-4609.

Volunteers sought for asthma research

ENTAA Care in Glen Burnie is seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research trial of investigative asthma medicine. To be eligible, participants must be 12 years or older and have asthma. The study will last 12 weeks and involve five office visits. Approved participants will receive investigational medication, study-related office visits and study-related physical exams at no cost. 410-760-8840, Ext. 269.

North Arundel offers screenings, lectures

North Arundel Hospital will offer the following screenings and educational exhibits on its main campus and at other locations: